Hello all! Welcome to another exciting year. This page will have all of the class assignments for the year as well as links to webpages, videos, and all other types of media and information that we will use for class this year. If you are ever wondering what's coming up next, what what we're doing now, or what we did in the past, this is the place to go.
HW Due Aug 26: Read "The Day The World Changed" and answer the questions about the reading.
Week 2-4: Logan's Run
For the next two-three weeks we will read "Logan's Run," a dystopian novel. During the reading we will stop to analyze aspects of the plot, conflict, character development, and the thematic elements of the story. We will also consider what, if anything, this story tells us about who we are as humans and what kind of society we live in today, and what kind of society may or may not want to live in in the future.
Logan's Run Vocabulary (selected)
dystopia utopia perfection disaster cause effect future system satire society fair unfair justice consequences extreme nursery palm sanctuary
Questions for September 3rd:
Thinking Ahead- In the next chapter... (answer these questions by guessing what will happen next). Put your answers on a google doc and share it with me.
1. What does Logan decide to do? Why?
2. Who does he meet in the next chapter?
3. Where does he go?
4. What has happened to him by the end of the chapter?
HW FOR SEPTEMBER 4th: Find the definitions for the vocabulary above and put the definitions on your Blog.
Logan's Run, Activity 5 In Class Sept. 9th (if you don't finish in class, finish the questions tonight for homework):
Answer the following questions on a google doc and share with me (300 words):
1. What was Logan's life like when he was a young child?
2. What do you think Logan's life was like between the ages of 13 and 18?
3. Before the world changed, why were people angry with governments and older people?
End of Logan's Run Question: Perfect World. Due Tuesday Sept. 24th
(Google doc, 300 words) Main question: What would your perfect world be like? (Brainstorm ideas, what would you want, want would you not want?)
Follow up questions: Did you think Logan lived in a perfect world? What were the good things about his world? What were the bad?
--------------------------------
Week 5-8: The Lottery and Logan's Run/ Argumentative Essay
Visual Interpretation Task: Describe what you think is happening in the picture.
Reading of "The Lottery"
HW "The Lottery" due Oct. 1st:
Answer the first five questions questions after the short story "The Lottery."
Summative Assessment Part 1: 5 Paragraph Essay
Essay Instructions:You have a choice in what you want to write your argumentative essay about. It can be about any topic in "The Lottery" or "Logan's Run" that interests you. Your thesis must be reviewed and okayed by me.
The five paragraph essay format:
1. Introduction: here you have your thesis or main argument
2. Body Paragraph #1: Here you have a topic sentence with supporting evidence
3. Body Paragraph #2:Here you have a topic sentence with supporting evidence
4. Body Paragraph #3:Here you have a topic sentence with supporting evidence
5. Conclusion
Each body paragraph should include evidence that supports the topic sentence of the paragraph. The topic sentence of each body paragraph supports the paper's thesis or main argument. Each body paragraph should be between 8-15 sentences and include as much information as possible to support your point.
This is a five paragraph essay format but can be more paragraphs if you need to write more. Just be sure to follow the structure of the five paragraph essay format.
Practice Essay (essay on a topic of your choice): Due Friday October 4th
Week 9-10
Play the award winning dystopian interactive game "The Curfew" for homework.
Summative Assessment Part 2: Students write their own Dystopian short story. 1200-1800 words (4-6 pages)
-Basic elements for a good Dystopian short story would be:
Setting- Where and when is the story taking place (does not have to be exact or specific.)
Conflict- A character versus the internal self or an external something or someone.
Characterdevelopment- Making the character real
Risingaction- Events that occur related to the conflict
Climax- When the rising action of the story reaches its peak.
Resolution- When the internal or external conflict is resolved.
The use of thematicelements consistent with the genre
Some more elements you may want to use would be:
Explosion or“Hook.” A thrilling, gripping, stirring event or problem that grabs the reader’s attention right away.
Exposition. Background information required for seeing the characters in context.
Complication. One or more problems that keep a character from their intended goal.
Transition. Image, symbol, dialogue, that joins paragraphs and scenes together.
Flashback. Remembering something that happened before the short story takes place.
Falling Action. Releasing the action of the story after the climax.
Below are two good websites to use to guide you in writing your story. The first has shorter and simpler tips while the second site is more in depth and takes more time to read and understand.
MONDAY NOVEMBER 11TH COMPARE AND CONTRAST REFLECTION (MIN 300 WORDS):
DUE DATE: beginning of the period of Wednesday 13th of November.
1. WHAT WAS SIMILAR BETWEEN LOGAN'S RUN THE BOOK AND MOVIE VERSIONS?
2. WHAT WAS DIFFERENT?
3. WHY DO YOU THINK THE DIRECTOR/PRODUCERS CHOSE TO MAKE THE MOVIE DIFFERENT FROM THE BOOK? BE SPECIFIC.
4. WHICH VERSION DID YOU LIKE BETTER? THE BOOK OR THE MOVIE?
END OF UNIT 1
------------------------------------
UNIT 2 ESSAY WRITING
4 weeks
How To Research and Write an Academic Essay
In this unit, students will explore different kinds of essays. We will look at compare and contrast essays, expository essays, and argumentative essays as well as essays for specific subjects such as science, English, and humanities.
Week 1 Research
How do we research for an essay?
Where should I look?
Why is it important to evaluate my sources?
How do I know the information I am getting is accurate and useful?
Week 2 Implementing Research
How do I put information I found online into my own words?
How do I use research to support points I am making in my writing?
How do I know when to cite information?
What's the most effective way to combine my ideas with other people's ideas?
Week 3 Rough Draft
How do I make an outline?
Why is an outline important?
What should my rough draft look like?
What is the structure?
How can I most effectively write about my subject?
How do I rely information or convince my audience of my position?
How am I persuasive
Week 4 Final Draft
How should my final essay look?
How do I go about editing my own work?
How can peer review help me in creating my final draft?
*Summative Assessment for Unit 2* DUE: December 11th
Instructions: Students will be given a choice on a subject to write research essay on. The student needs to exhibit proficiency in the above areas in his/her research essay. The research essay needs to be 1,500-1,700 words, or 5-6 pages. The essay should include the following:
I have turned in my outline with my paper
a thesis
an introduction
body paragraphs with topic sentences
a conclusion
research to back up points made by the writer
quotes
citations
a works cited page.
If your paper is missing any one of the above bullet points, then it is NOT a complete essay.
*IMPORTANT! USE THIS EXAMPLE TO HELP YOU WHEN WRITING YOUR ESSAY
ALL PAPERS NEED TO BE TURNED IN AS A HARD COPY AND AS AN ELECTRONIC COPY IN YOUR FOLDER IN GOOGLE DRIVE!!!
IN CLASS: Sharing the poem you found. Each student will have a chance to practice reading in front of an audience by reading the poem they selected to the class.
HW Monday January 13th: Bring a book of your choice and a writing journal to class on Wednesday, January 15th.
Rhyming Schemes
We will be studying and writing in the following rhyming schemes for the first few weeks before we get more complicated:
SIMPLE 4 LINE: ABCB
SONNET: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
LIMERICK: AABBA
COUPLET (BALLAD for a story): AABBCCDD...
FROST: ABAAB
HOMEWORK TUESDAY FEBRUARY 4th: Bring in a completed first draft of your ballad. This first draft should be in your writing journal.
HOMEWORK Monday February 10th:
Type up the final draft of your first poem, you ballad, and put it in a folder titled "Poetry Portfolio" in your English folder. This will be the first of several final draft poems that will make up your portfolio.
Remember, you're ballad needs to include the following:
Setting
Characters
Problem
Events
Resolution
HOMEWORK Tuesday February 18th: 250 words
Find a "Simple 4-Line" poem and analyze it in 4 ways:
Rhythm (syllable count and any patterns you might find).
Repetition (words or ideas that are repeated and why).
Imagery (What images do you see? Why are they there? What is the author's intent?)
Metaphor (What metaphor(s) do you see in the poem? What do they mean?)
Bring 2 copies to class tomorrow.
HOMEWORK Wednesday February 19th: 250 words
Using the Poetry Foundation website...
Find a "Simple 4-Line" poem and analyze it in 4 ways:
Rhythm (syllable count and any patterns you might find).
Repetition (words or ideas that are repeated and why).
Imagery (What images do you see? Why are they there? What is the author's intent?)
Metaphor (What metaphor(s) do you see in the poem? What do they mean?)
Bring 2 copies to class tomorrow.
HOMEWORK TUESDAY MARCH 4TH: 150 words x2
Using these websites or another others that are useful for sonnets, http://www.poetryfoundation.org/learning/article/246410 http://www.sonnettics.com/sonnet-writing/
find 2 sonnets that capture your imagination, stir you emotions, or grab you for any other reason and briefly explain why you chose them and what you think the author is trying to say in the sonnet. Also analyze any aspects of the poem, such as imagery or repetition, that you find especially powerful or interesting.
HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY MARCH 12TH: 3 Free Verse Poems
In your writing journal, have three circles with 10 lines coming out with associated words
12 line minimum
1 poem needs to focus on metaphor
1 poem needs to focus on rhyming scheme
1 poem needs to focus on imagery
Each poem needs a short analysis/explanation at the end of how your metaphor works, why you chose the rhyming scheme and what it is, and the mood and reason for your imagery
*POETRY END OF UNIT 3, SEMESTER 1 FINAL ASSIGNMENT* POETRY PORTFOLIO
DUE: MARCH FRIDAY 14TH, 2014
Checklist "Poetry Portfolio." Your poetry portfolio will include the following:
1. Multiple poems from 5 different styles that you have written on different subjects or themes.
Ballad (1, must tell a story)
Simple 4 Line (2)
Haiku (minimum 6)
Sonnet (2)
Free Verse (3)
2. A reflection for each poetic genre on its meaning and/or personal significance (total 500 words) 3. The mentor poems from other poets that you found to be inspirational or that you connected with strongly and a reflections on why you felt that way.
--
UNIT 4
MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS DOCUMENTARY UNIT
OVERVIEW:
In this unit, we will look at the millennium development goals and assess the following:
What has been done to achieve these goals?
What is still being done?
The future plans for these goals
*The following link is your ASSIGNMENT SHEET with attached rubric.*
Final Cut Documentary to be turned in for class viewing May 9th.
WEEK OF MAY 26th, MAKE SURE ALL FINAL CUT DOCUMENTARIES ARE TURNED INTO ME. The entire 8th grade will view the documentaries together beginning June 2nd.
Mr. Ryan's 8th Grade English Page
Hello all! Welcome to another exciting year. This page will have all of the class assignments for the year as well as links to webpages, videos, and all other types of media and information that we will use for class this year. If you are ever wondering what's coming up next, what what we're doing now, or what we did in the past, this is the place to go.
HW Due Aug 26: Read "The Day The World Changed" and answer the questions about the reading.
Week 2-4: Logan's Run
For the next two-three weeks we will read "Logan's Run," a dystopian novel. During the reading we will stop to analyze aspects of the plot, conflict, character development, and the thematic elements of the story. We will also consider what, if anything, this story tells us about who we are as humans and what kind of society we live in today, and what kind of society may or may not want to live in in the future.Logan's Run Vocabulary (selected)
dystopiautopia
perfection
disaster
cause
effect
future
system
satire
society
fair
unfair
justice
consequences
extreme
nursery
palm
sanctuary
Questions for September 3rd:
Thinking Ahead- In the next chapter... (answer these questions by guessing what will happen next). Put your answers on a google doc and share it with me.
1. What does Logan decide to do? Why?
2. Who does he meet in the next chapter?
3. Where does he go?
4. What has happened to him by the end of the chapter?
HW FOR SEPTEMBER 4th: Find the definitions for the vocabulary above and put the definitions on your Blog.
Logan's Run, Activity 5 In Class Sept. 9th (if you don't finish in class, finish the questions tonight for homework):
Answer the following questions on a google doc and share with me (300 words):1. What was Logan's life like when he was a young child?
2. What do you think Logan's life was like between the ages of 13 and 18?
3. Before the world changed, why were people angry with governments and older people?
End of Logan's Run Question: Perfect World. Due Tuesday Sept. 24th
(Google doc, 300 words)Main question: What would your perfect world be like? (Brainstorm ideas, what would you want, want would you not want?)
Follow up questions: Did you think Logan lived in a perfect world? What were the good things about his world? What were the bad?
--------------------------------
Week 5-8: The Lottery and Logan's Run/ Argumentative Essay
Visual Interpretation Task: Describe what you think is happening in the picture.Reading of "The Lottery"
HW "The Lottery" due Oct. 1st:
Answer the first five questions questions after the short story "The Lottery."
Summative Assessment Part 1: 5 Paragraph Essay
Essay Instructions: You have a choice in what you want to write your argumentative essay about. It can be about any topic in "The Lottery" or "Logan's Run" that interests you. Your thesis must be reviewed and okayed by me.
The five paragraph essay format:
1. Introduction: here you have your thesis or main argument
2. Body Paragraph #1: Here you have a topic sentence with supporting evidence
3. Body Paragraph #2: Here you have a topic sentence with supporting evidence
4. Body Paragraph #3: Here you have a topic sentence with supporting evidence
5. Conclusion
Each body paragraph should include evidence that supports the topic sentence of the paragraph. The topic sentence of each body paragraph supports the paper's thesis or main argument. Each body paragraph should be between 8-15 sentences and include as much information as possible to support your point.
This is a five paragraph essay format but can be more paragraphs if you need to write more. Just be sure to follow the structure of the five paragraph essay format.
Practice Essay (essay on a topic of your choice): Due Friday October 4th
Week 9-10
Play the award winning dystopian interactive game "The Curfew" for homework.Summative Assessment Part 2: Students write their own Dystopian short story. 1200-1800 words (4-6 pages)
-Basic elements for a good Dystopian short story would be:Some more elements you may want to use would be:
Explosion or “Hook.” A thrilling, gripping, stirring event or problem that grabs the reader’s attention right away.
Exposition. Background information required for seeing the characters in context.
Complication. One or more problems that keep a character from their intended goal.
Transition. Image, symbol, dialogue, that joins paragraphs and scenes together.
Flashback. Remembering something that happened before the short story takes place.
Falling Action. Releasing the action of the story after the climax.
Below are two good websites to use to guide you in writing your story. The first has shorter and simpler tips while the second site is more in depth and takes more time to read and understand.
jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/creative1/shortstory/#paragraph
www.ket.org/education/guides/pd/teachingtheshortstory.pdf
ROUGH DRAFT DUE WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 30TH
FINAL DRAFT DUE FRIDAY NOVEMBER 1ST
MONDAY NOVEMBER 11TH COMPARE AND CONTRAST REFLECTION (MIN 300 WORDS):
DUE DATE: beginning of the period of Wednesday 13th of November.1. WHAT WAS SIMILAR BETWEEN LOGAN'S RUN THE BOOK AND MOVIE VERSIONS?
2. WHAT WAS DIFFERENT?
3. WHY DO YOU THINK THE DIRECTOR/PRODUCERS CHOSE TO MAKE THE MOVIE DIFFERENT FROM THE BOOK? BE SPECIFIC.
4. WHICH VERSION DID YOU LIKE BETTER? THE BOOK OR THE MOVIE?
END OF UNIT 1
------------------------------------
UNIT 2 ESSAY WRITING
4 weeksHow To Research and Write an Academic Essay
In this unit, students will explore different kinds of essays. We will look at compare and contrast essays, expository essays, and argumentative essays as well as essays for specific subjects such as science, English, and humanities.
Week 1 Research
Week 2 Implementing Research
Week 3 Rough Draft
Week 4 Final Draft
*Summative Assessment for Unit 2* DUE: December 11th
Instructions: Students will be given a choice on a subject to write research essay on. The student needs to exhibit proficiency in the above areas in his/her research essay. The research essay needs to be 1,500-1,700words, or 5-6 pages. The essay should include the following:
If your paper is missing any one of the above bullet points, then it is NOT a complete essay.
*IMPORTANT! USE THIS EXAMPLE TO HELP YOU WHEN WRITING YOUR ESSAY
ALL PAPERS NEED TO BE TURNED IN AS A HARD COPY AND AS AN ELECTRONIC COPY IN YOUR FOLDER IN GOOGLE DRIVE!!!
*IN CLASS EXAMPLE: THE ONE DIRECTION ESSAY***
UNIT 3 POETRY
What is a poem? What makes a poem? What do we mean when we talk about poetry?
Monday January 6th Instructions: Open the file below and follow the directions.Dissecting a Poem
Poetry Terminology:
SymbolismRhyming
Repetition
Metaphor
IN CLASS: Sharing the poem you found. Each student will have a chance to practice reading in front of an audience by reading the poem they selected to the class.
HW Monday January 13th: Bring a book of your choice and a writing journal to class on Wednesday, January 15th.
Rhyming Schemes
We will be studying and writing in the following rhyming schemes for the first few weeks before we get more complicated:
HOMEWORK TUESDAY FEBRUARY 4th: Bring in a completed first draft of your ballad. This first draft should be in your writing journal.
HOMEWORK Monday February 10th:
Type up the final draft of your first poem, you ballad, and put it in a folder titled "Poetry Portfolio" in your English folder. This will be the first of several final draft poems that will make up your portfolio.Remember, you're ballad needs to include the following:
HOMEWORK Tuesday February 18th: 250 words
Find a "Simple 4-Line" poem and analyze it in 4 ways:Rhythm (syllable count and any patterns you might find).
Repetition (words or ideas that are repeated and why).
Imagery (What images do you see? Why are they there? What is the author's intent?)
Metaphor (What metaphor(s) do you see in the poem? What do they mean?)
Bring 2 copies to class tomorrow.
HOMEWORK Wednesday February 19th: 250 words
Using the Poetry Foundation website...Find a "Simple 4-Line" poem and analyze it in 4 ways:
Rhythm (syllable count and any patterns you might find).
Repetition (words or ideas that are repeated and why).
Imagery (What images do you see? Why are they there? What is the author's intent?)
Metaphor (What metaphor(s) do you see in the poem? What do they mean?)
Bring 2 copies to class tomorrow.
HOMEWORK TUESDAY MARCH 4TH: 150 words x2
Using these websites or another others that are useful for sonnets,
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/learning/article/246410
http://www.sonnettics.com/sonnet-writing/
find 2 sonnets that capture your imagination, stir you emotions, or grab you for any other reason and briefly explain why you chose them and what you think the author is trying to say in the sonnet. Also analyze any aspects of the poem, such as imagery or repetition, that you find especially powerful or interesting.
HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY MARCH 12TH: 3 Free Verse Poems
In your writing journal, have three circles with 10 lines coming out with associated words
*POETRY END OF UNIT 3, SEMESTER 1 FINAL ASSIGNMENT* POETRY PORTFOLIO
DUE: MARCH FRIDAY 14TH, 2014
Checklist "Poetry Portfolio." Your poetry portfolio will include the following:
1. Multiple poems from 5 different styles that you have written on different subjects or themes.- Ballad (1, must tell a story)
- Simple 4 Line (2)
- Haiku (minimum 6)
- Sonnet (2)
- Free Verse (3)
2. A reflection for each poetic genre on its meaning and/or personal significance (total 500 words)3. The mentor poems from other poets that you found to be inspirational or that you connected with strongly and a reflections on why you felt that way.
--
UNIT 4
MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS DOCUMENTARY UNIT
OVERVIEW:
In this unit, we will look at the millennium development goals and assess the following:*The following link is your ASSIGNMENT SHEET with attached rubric.*
https://docs.google.com/a/swa-jkt.com/document/d/1fg_AVzElYNjXPG6wjxU-Umi8iEdAPuniHaZFgT3cs4c/editResources:
Here is a great place to start to get an idea of what to look for on the web for resources.https://docs.google.com/a/swa-jkt.com/document/d/1Qt7KskD8L0LTyY7oO5w5KGH2qOIMIQqQh8Lqf_BQEiw/edit
How do you make a film?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdKGHkTljh0
Millennium Development Goals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcNaiDHDges
GROUPS
Timeline
- Finish research and questions by April 25th
- Finish interviews and Rough Cut by MAY 5th
- Final Cut Documentary to be turned in for class viewing May 9th.
WEEK OF MAY 26th, MAKE SURE ALL FINAL CUT DOCUMENTARIES ARE TURNED INTO ME. The entire 8th grade will view the documentaries together beginning June 2nd.Week of May 26th, Play
What on Earth is the Matter?
the play is here: https://docs.google.com/a/swa-jkt.com/document/d/1J-jmfP6-4hp7WEkdfEhWQMiffbxH-nE6x0V7ZWpCFPo/edit
May 30th Outline for your play, rough draft of script.
Open this document below in class and follow the instructions. When each person in your group is finished with this document, you can begin working on the first version of your script on paper.
https://docs.google.com/a/swa-jkt.com/document/d/1rhHndVQMt99CHEflOR8HlIedp8N2uxncZ8nTtnZeHEU/edit